Mlk Vs Malcolm X Research Paper

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Anthony Diaz US History Period 8 05/17/24 - 05/24/24 MLK and Malcolm X Essay In the fight for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X stood on opposite sides. King preached peace, while Malcolm X advocated for self-defense. But the question is, who’s approach truly made a good impact? While both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were important figures in the civil rights movement, King's ideology of nonviolent resistance and integration ultimately proved more effective in achieving lasting societal change than Malcolm X's advocacy for separatism and self-defense.

Martin Luther King's perspective on education during the period of segregation is more inclusive than Malcolm X's, due to its emphasis on integration and societal peace. King advocated for the removal of racial barriers within educational institutions, as shown by his declaration in "Our God is Marching On," "Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige
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and Malcolm X offered differing perspectives on the use of violence versus nonviolence in the pursuit of social justice, King's advocacy for nonviolent resistance is the better approach. However, it's essential to acknowledge Malcolm X's viewpoint, as articulated in his interview with the Young Socialist on January 18, 1965, where he expressed skepticism towards teaching nonviolence to Black Americans in the absence of a corresponding commitment to nonviolence from their oppressors. He said “Nonviolence is only preached to black Americans and I don’t go along with anyone who wants to teach our people nonviolence until someone at the same time is teaching our enemy to be nonviolent.”(document 9). Despite this perspective, King's emphasis on nonviolence remains the better option for several reasons. While Malcolm X's critique raises valid concerns about power imbalances, King's vision of nonviolent resistance offers a more hopeful route to justice, equality, and a better society for